Programmable Data Element Queuing, Handling, Processing and Linking Device Integrated into an Object Identification and Attribute Acquisition System

1. A programmable data element queuing, handling, processing and linking device integrated into an object identification and attribute acquisition system operated in either a singulated or non-singulated object transport environment, said programmable data element queuing, handling, processing and linking device comprising: a first data element input unit for receiving object identity data from an object identity data producing source embodied within said object identification and attribute acquisition system; a second data element input unit for receiving corresponding object attribute data from an object attribute data producing source embodied within said object identification and attribute acquisition system; and a programmable data element tracking and linking module for linking (i) object identity data to (ii) corresponding object attribute data to form a composite data element, for use by a host system.

2. The programmable data element queuing, handling, processing and linking mechanism of claim 1 , wherein each said object attribute data clement is an element selected from the group of object dimension-related data, object-weight data, object-content data, and object-interior data.

3. The programmable data element queuing, handling, processing and linking mechanism of claim 1 , wherein said object identification and attribute acquisition system comprises a PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition system.

4. A programmable data-element queuing, handling and processing subsystem integrated into a PLIIM-based object identification and attribute acquisition system having a source of object identity data elements and a source of object attribute data elements and operated in either a singulated or non-singulated object transport environment, said programmable data-element queuing, handling and processing subsystem comprising: a first data element input unit for receiving object identity data elements as inputs from said source of object identity data elements; a second data element input unit for receiving object attribute data elements as inputs from said source of object attribute data elements; and a mechanism for queuing, handling, processing and linking said object identity data element inputs and said object attribute data element inputs, and generating as an output, for each object identity data element supplied as input, a combined data element comprising an object identity data element, and one or more object attribute data elements from said source of object attribute data elements.

5. The programmable data-element queuing, handling and processing subsystem of claim 4 , wherein said source of object identity data elements is selected from the group consisting of a bar code symbol reader, RFID reader, and the like.

6. The programmable data-element queuing, handling and processing subsystem of claim 4 , wherein said object attribute data elements are selected from the group consisting of object dimensions, weight, x-ray analysis, neutron beam analysis, and the like.